Cleaning apparatus



AU@ 29, 1944V- F. BRECKENRIDGE Erm. 2,356,817

CLEANING APPARATUS Original Filed April 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

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. n. a, fi-ia Aug- 29 1944- F. BRECKENRIDGE ETAL 2,356,817

CLEANING APPARATUS Orkiginal Filed April 25, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/ i f5 FIG. 4. FIG. 5.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR FRAN/f Bickn/naaf C?. u.HA 4 Ranma/v0 J. ,4a/06.5 z/lmua BY Aug 29, 1944- F. BRECKENRIDGE ETAL 2,3"5`68'`7 CLEANING APPARATUS Original Filed April 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 MINUTES f ff 2.02142? 3.2 2f

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l J 9b 7 wArL-'Q 9; 99 /aa DRA/N Life /02 HIGH SPEED CLUTCH MAG/Vif 1 5 'fiz mw .sTART/No- 47 nwo/us y 7/ STAPT/A/G d RELAY MAIN WIND/N6 2 -W|TNESSES: INVENTOR 6 H FPA/w( BPECKENP/Dayf f P4 m40/vo J. ,Q7/DGE MM BY ATTOR? Patented Aug. 29, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mond J. Ridge, Lansdowne.

Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric t Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application April 25, 1941, Serial No. 390,290, now Patent No. 2,313,984, dated March d this application August 16, 1943. 11, 1942, Serial No.

Divided an 8 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) Our invention relates to cleaning apparatus and has for an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind. The present application is a division of our Patent 2,313,984 for Cleaning apparatus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide animproved electrically-driven cleaning machine wherein the maximum current demands are maintained at a low value. It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved automatically-controlled machine for washing and spinning fabrics having a plurality of electrically-operated devices sequentially energized by a timer in which the electrically-operated devices are deenergized during starting periods of the motor or when the current demands of the motor are above a predetermined high value.

'I'hese and other objects are eil'ected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of a machine for cleaning and centrifuging fabrics and constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lineA II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view looking upwardly from the line III- III of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken along the respective lines IV-IV and'V-V of Fig. 3: and

Fig. 6 is a diagram of the electrical connections for the electrically-operated devices employed in the apparatus.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings wherein we have shown our invention appliedA to a `domestic washing and spinning machine of the vertical axis type, although, in this connection, it will be understood that certain features of the invention may be applied equally well to other forms of washing and spinning machines. The apparatus includes a fluidcontaining tub I0, generally cylindrical in configuration and having its axis arranged substantially vertical. Arranged within the tub I is a cylindrical basket II, the side walls of which are perforate as shown at I2. The upper ends of the tub o and basket are open for the ingress and egress of the fabrics to be treated and a suitable gasketed and removable cover I3 is provided for the open end of the tub III.

the basket II and may be secured to the basket II as shown at Il, so that the agitator I4 moves with the basket II at all times. It will be understood that this construction is shown by way of example and that the invention may be ap. plied to machines wherein the agitator may be moved relative the basket. Movement of the agitator I I in the basket II about a substantially vertical axis is eifected by a shaft I8 having a squared upper end I'I which is keyed to a central hub portion I8 of the agitator Il. A vertical sleeve or column It which is fixed to the tub III stands within the hub Il and provides a suitable bearing 2I for the upper end of the shaft It, the bearing 2I being preferably disposed above the surface of the cleaning fluid when the tub I0 is loaded. An antifriction bearing 22 Journals an intermediate portion of the shaft I8 within a lower portion of the column I9 and adjacent the bottom of the tub III. A supporting plate or frame 23 is secured in any wellknown manner 'to the bottom of the tub Ill and defines a support for the tub.

'I'he basket II and the agitator Il are oscillated at a relatively low frequency during cleaning periods and are rotated at a relatively high speed during fluid extracting periods by a twospeed mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral 2l and supported from the platelike frame 2l. The two-speed mechanism 2l includes a housing 25 for enclosing the gearing and clutching mechanism which effects the oscillation and rotation of the basket I I and agitator I I. The driving mechanism is arranged within the housing 25 and includes a main drive shaft 28 which carries a worm 21 and a pinion 28 axially spaced from each other. A motor 29 is carried by a bracket 3| exteriorly of the housing 25 and drives the shaft 28 at substantially constant speed during all periods of operation. Bearings 32 lcarried on opposite sides of the housing 25 provide Journals for the driving shaft 26.

Rotation of the agitator I4 and basket II is effected during spinning periods by a spiral gear 33 which meshes with the ypinion 28 and which is Journaled on` the lower end of the vertical shaft It so that it may rotate relative thereto. Oscillating movement is imparted to the shaft It by a member 34 also carried by the shaft I8 so that it may move relative thereabout. The member Il is oscillated by a connecting rod 35 pivoted at one end to the oscillating member 34 An4 agitator Il is centrally disposed within 55 and at its other end to a crank 3B which is rotated by a wormwheel 3l, the latter meshing with the worm 21. 'I'he wormwheel 2l and crank 38 are journaled on a pin $8 which is secured to the housing 25 and which extends upwardly therewithin.

Selective oscillation or rotation of the shaft i is controlled by a movable clutching member l! keyed as shown at 4i to the shaft i8 and movable between upper and lower clutching positions wherein it engages, respectively, the oscillating member I4 and the rotating gear 22. As shown in Fig. 1, the clutching member 2l is in its upper position so that oscillation of the agitator and basket by the member I4 is effected. Axial movement of the movable clutching member Il along the key 4i is effected by a forked arm 42, one end of which is fitted within an annular groove Il arranged in a mid portion of the clutching member 2l. 'I'he movable arm l2 is nxed to a rocker shaft M `iournaled in the housing 25 and extending exteriorly thereof, the outer end of the rocker shaft 44 being provided with an arm Il. A spring I8 biases the forked arm l2 upwardly so that the oscillating member 24 is engaged with the clutching member 2|. The clutching member 29 is moved downwardly into engagement with the rotating gear 23 by means of an electro-magnet 41, the movable armature Il of which is connected to the arm 45 as clearly shown in Fig. l. It will be understood that, as the electro-magnet 41 is energized, movement of the armature 4I swings the rocker shaft clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 1 and, therefore, the clutching member 39 is moved downwardly along the key Il.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the rotatable spiral gear 23 includes a hub portion 5l which extends downwardly through the bottom wall of the housing 2i in which it is supported by an antifriction bearing 52. For purposes to be referred to more in detail hereinafter, a flywheel or rotatable inertia stabilizer I is carried by the hub portion iii, and, preferably, so that it may rotate relative the hub portion Il under certain operating conditions. To this end, a clutch generally indicated at Il is interposed between the stabilizer 53 and the rotatable hub portion 5I. The clutch 54 includes a rotating clutch plate Bi which is keyed to a squared portion il of the hub Ii so that it rotates at all times with the hub Il. The clutching plate 55 engages a clutching surface I1 formed on the stabilizer 5I and is maintained in engagement with such clutching surface by a relatively heavy spring BI. The latter engages the clutch plate 5l and forces the same upwardly into engagement with the clutching surface 51 on the stabilizer 52. Upward axial movement of the stabilizer 5I on the hub 5I is prevented by a shoulder 5ta formed on Athe hub BI. An adiusting nut I! threaded on the lower end of the hub 5| maintains the spring 5I in engagement with the clutch plate 55 and the bias of the spring Il may be varied by threading or unthreading the nut 59 on the hub 5I.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that, as the shaft 2l is rotated by the motor 29, the member 34 is oscillated about the axis of the shaft II and the spiral gear 23 is rotated thereabout. Movement of the shaft Il is determined by the position of the clutching member Il so that, when the clutching member 29 is in the position shown, the shaft Il is oscillated by the member 24. At this time, the gear Il and stabilizer I3 are rotated relative the shaft IC. When the electro-magnet 41 is energized, the clutching member 39 engages the gear 33 so that the shaft il is rotated with the gear l2. I

Duringstartingperiodsofthemotonorwhen the gear 82 and the stabilizer Il are accelerated, slippage between the gear 28 and the relatively heavy stabilizer Il is provided by the clutch I4 in order to facilitate starting of the motor. Purthermore, when the clutching member Il is moved downwardly into engagement with the gear Il for acceleratmg the basket to its centrifuging speed, the clutch I4 may slip, as the inertia of the stabilizer is employed to assist the motor in accelerating the basket.

This feature of the invention is highly desirable as in this type of apparatus, the motor is subjected to its heaviest load during the period of acceleration prior to centrifuging. Furthermore, it is desirable that the basket be rapidly accelerated as it usually passes through its critical speed during acceleration. If the basket is accelerated rapidly, the period of dwell in the critical range is short.

Cleaning fluid from a suitable source is admitted to the tub Il by means of a flexible conduit i having a spout portion O2 overhanging the basket li so that the fluid discharged to the tub is first directed throughout the interior of the basket i I. The passage of fluid through the conduit li is controlled by a valve Il which is opened and closed by a solenoid M. As the construction and operation of solenoid operated valves are well understood, no detailed description of the same is deemed necessary other than to state that the valve is opened when the solenoid u is energized, and conversely, when the solenoid is deenergized, the valve is closed. Vitiated water is discharged from the tub III through a drain opening .l which is connected by means of a flexible conduit 0I to the inlet of a pump l1, the latter being carried by the housing 2l and directly driven by the shaft 26. The outlet of the pump 01 is connected by means of a flexible conduit Il to a suitable point of discharge. Flow of water from the outlet Il to the pump l1 is controlled by a valve l operated by a solenoid 1i in a manner described in connection with valve $2.

The tub il, multiple speed mechanism 24, the motor 29, and the rotatable stabilizer 5I denne maior elements of a unitary washing and spinning structure, generally indicated at 1l, which is housed within a casing 12. The casing 12 is open at its top as shown at 1I to permit the removal of the cover or lid I2. In accordance with our invention, the unitary washing and spinning structure 10 is resiliently supported within the casing 12 so that vibrations caused by nonuniform distribution of the fabrics in the basket during centrifuging periods are not transmitted to the casing 12 to any objectionable degree. Aecordingly, the apparatus may be made portable as shown and may be operated without the necessity of firmly securing the same to a rigid foundation.

The resilient supporting means which we prefer to employ includes a plurality of relatively fiat cantilever springs 1I, the fixed ends of which are secured to brackets 15 carried by casing 12. The springs 1l are circumferentially spaced relative the tub il and are disposed in a substantially horizontal plane adjacent to but preferably above the center of inertia of the unitary suspended structure 10. I'he free or movable ends of the springs 1l are secured to respective bosses 1l formed on the under side of the platelike frame 22. Preferably, the bosses 1l are cupped as shown at 11 to receive embossed domes or pro- Jections 1I formed in the ends of the springs 1I.

asseoir A bolt 10 is employed for attachment of the springs 14 to their respective bosses 1l.

The springs 14 are disposed about the axis of the suspended structure 10 and generally tangentially with respect thereto. In this position, the springs 14 resist oscillatory translations of the suspended structure generally in horizontal directions, and also oscillatory movements of the structure about its axis. The oscillating forces reacting on the suspended sin'ucture during oscillation of the agitator are, therefore, rigidly resisted by the springs 14. However, the springs 14 are very flexible in vertical directions and permit oscillations or precessing of the suspended structure 10 about its center of inertia, the latter being preferably adjacent the axis of the shaft I and slightly below a horizontal plane which includes the springs 14.

The stabilizer I0 which, as set forth heretofore, assists the motor in accelerating the basket II, also stabilizes the suspended structure 10 and resists precessing or vibration of the structure about its center of inertia. Furthermore, advantage is taken of the gyroscopic effect of .the stabilizer 53 in resisting such vibrations as it defines a relatively large rotating mass when compared to the total mass of the suspended structure 10.

Such vibratory movements of the suspended structure 10 thatoccur are damped by dampers, generally indicated at 0|, and disposed around the structure 10 remote from the center of inertia thereof. Preferably, the dampers 0I are disposed adjacent the top of the tub I0 and between the tub and casing 12. as in the particular embodiment disclosed this is the region of the suspended structure furthest removed from its center of inertia. These dampers 0| may be any suitable type but are, preferably, of 'the dry friction type. The dampers include a friction plate 02 secured Ato the tub in any suitable manner and engaged on opposite sides by spring members 83 which are biased toward each other. Adjustment of the bias of the spring members 83 may be effected by a screw 04 passing through the members 83 in order to vary the damping effect of the .dampers 0|. The spring friction members 0l are attached to the easing 12 by a resilient support 85 in any well understood manner. Movement of the plate 02 and the suspended structure 10 in general about the center of inertia of the latter is resisted by friction as the plate 82 slides longitudinally between the spring members 03. The resilient support 05 provides for limited vertical movement of the dampers 0I relative the casing in order to compensate for upward and downward movement of the structure as fluid is admitted to and discharged from the tub I0.

The washing and spinning apparatus described heretofore is particularly adaptable for automatic operation wherein a. plurality of steps in a washing and spinning program are carried into effect without manual attention. To this end, a timer mechanism generally indicated at 88 is employed for energizing and deenergizing the various electrical translating elements employed in the Washing and spinning structure. Preferably, the timer mechanism 00 is carried by the casing 12 in a location convenient to the operator.

The electrical connections between the timer mechanism 00 and the various electrical translating devices are shown in Fig. 6 to which reference will now be had. The timer 06 includes an insulating drum 01 shown in development in Fig. 6 and movable at all times in the direction of the arrow. The drum 01 may be rotated man- `ually by a knob 8l and is driven at relatively low speed of, for example, one revolution in 40 minutes, by a relatively small synchronous motor of the type commonly employed for driving clocks and indicated at 0l. Reduction gearing is diagrammatically indicated at 0| and interposed between the motor 00 and the drum I1, and a slip clutch diagrammatically indicated at 02 is interposed between the reduction gear 0| and the drum 01.- The purpose of the clutch 02 is to permit manual movement of the drum 01 relative the driven element of the reduction gear 0 I. However, during operation of the motor 08, the reduction gear 0| drives the drum 01 through the clutch 92.

The insulating drum 01 carries a plurality of segments 03 to |02, inclusive, which are engageable with stationary contact Vfingers Il! to |09, inclusive. The segments 94 to |02, inclusive, are electrically connected but insulated from the segment 00 of the drum 81. The purpose of this arrangement will be more apparent as the description proceeds.

The source of power for the apparatus described heretofore is indicated by the line conductors L1 and La, the former of which is connected through a fuse to the contact linger |00. The contact finger |04 is connected to the electric motor 20 and the contact fingers |01, |00 and |00 are connected, respectively, to one terminal of each of the solenoids 04, 1| and 41. The opposite terminal of the drain solenoid is connected with line conductor La while the opposite terminals of the water valve solenoid 84 and the clutch magnet solenoid 41 are connected to line conductor La through a float switch generally indicated at I I2. The purpose of the oat switch ||2 is to prevent overlling of the tub and to prevent high speed operation of the basket during periods when water is present in the tub. The float switch structure I2 is shown in Fig. 5 and includes a float chamber I|3 which is connected by a conduit ||4 to the tub I2 and which is filled and emptied with the tub I2. A float IIB is raised and lowered by the water and engages stops ||6 and ||1 carried on a switchactuating rod IIB. Any suitable form of switch Ils may be employed, which switch is opened as the float ||5 engages the stop IIB and raises the switch-actuating rod IIB. Conversely, as the float I I5 engages the stop I1, the switch-actuating rod |I8'is moved downwardly by the weight of the float and closes the switch IIS.

The driving motor 29 which we have rshown is of the split phase type and includes a running winding |2| which is energized during al1 operating periods of the motor and a starting winding |22 energized during starting periods only. This is the form of motor usually employed for driving cleaning machines of the type disclosed herein. Such motors employ a switch automatically operated in response to the speed, or a characteristic that is a function of the speed, for controlling energization of the starting winding so that it is energized during starting periods and deenergized during running periods as is well understood. Y The starting switch for the motor 29 is shown"at |23 and actuated by a solenoid |24 connected in series with the running winding |2I. During starting periods, the high current energizing the running winding and the solenoid |24 closes the switch |23 so that the starting winding |22 is energized. As the speed of the motor increases and the current energizing the running winding |2| and the solenoid I 20 is reduced to a predetermined value, the switch |23 is opened for deenergizing the starting winding |22.

The starting current in motors of this type may rise to values many times the normal full load running current, particularly if the motor is loaded during starting periods. In the present application, the stabilizer I and the agitator |0 load the motor during starting periods so that the starting current thereof is relatively high during acceleration of the stabilizer 50. If the circuits of one or more of the solenoids are closed when the motor 20 is started, the total current drawn from the line may increase to a value sumcient to open the fuse In accordance with our invention, means is provided for deenergizing at least a part of the other electric translating devices employed in the apparatus during starting periods of the main motor 29. As shown in Fig. 6 a second switch |20 is actuated by the solenoid so that it is opened during starting periods and closed during running periods of the motor 29. The switch |20 is connected in a conductor |21 which provides a series connection between the contact segments |00 and |05 of the timer 86. As the contact segments 00 to |02, inclusive, which control energization of the timer motor 09 and the three solenoids 00, 1| and 01, are insulated from the segment 02, the conductor 21 defines a feeder for these segments when the timer is in an active position. In other words, the timer motor 09 or the solenoids 00, 1| and 01 can only be energized when the common conductor or feeder |21 is connected by its switch |25 to the line conductor Li through the segment 93 and its contact fingers |03 and |00.

The operation of the electrical system shown in Fig. 6 will now be described. 'Ihe various electrical elements are shown in the positions which they assume during an inactive position of the washing and spinning apparatus. Operation is initiated by rotating the drum 01 to an active position, for example, the four-minute position shown on the timer. I'his adjustment engages the segment 93 with the contact lingers |00 and |00 and also effects engagement of the electricalLy-connected segments 00 and 05 with the fingers |05, |06 and |01. Engagement of the segment 93 with the fingers |00 and |00 energizes the main winding |2| of the motor 20 through a circuit including the line conductor Li, the fuse the finger |00, the segment 00, the iinger |00, main winding 2| the solenoid |20, and the line conductor Le. The relatively high starting current energizing the solenoid |20 closes the switch |23 and opens the switch |20. Closing oi the former energizes the starting winding |22 which is now connected in parallel with the main winding |2| and the solenoid |20. Bridging of the fingers |05, |06 and |01 by the electricallyconnected segments 00 and 05 is of no moment during the starting period as the common feeder |21 is opened by the switch |20 and, therefore` the circuits extending from the fingers |00 and |01 to the timer motor 00 and water valve solenoid remain deenergized. Accordinglythe amount-of current drawn from the line conductors Li and Le at this time is reduced in the amount normally demanded by the timer motor 09 and the water valve solenoid 00.

As the speed of the main motor 20 increases, the current energizing the main winding |2| and the solenoid |20 is progressively reduced to a predetermined value at which the solenoid |20 eiiects opening of the switch |20 and closing of the switch |20. Opening of the former deenergizes the starting winding |22 and closing of the latter completes the circuit from the line conductor Li to the feeder |21 and, therefore, the timer motor and the water valve solenoid 00 are energized. As the specific program of washing, rinsing, and steps forms no part of the present invention, it is not deemed necessary to describe in detail the various operations which are completed as the various segments 05 to |02, inclusive, engage and disengage their stationary lingers |01, |00 and |09. It will be apparent that water is admitted to the washer during periods when the segments 05, 00, 01 and 00 engage the finger |01 under control of the float switch H0. Furthermore, when the segments 00 and |00 engage the finger |00, the drain valve solenoid 1| is energized for the discharge of water from the washer. Engagement of the segments |0| and |02 with the finger |00 eii'ects high speed operation of the basket as these segments control energization of the clutch magnet 01. It will be apparent that upon resumption of power after a failure thereof for any reason during cycling of the apparatus, the total amount of current drawn from the line will be only that required for energizing the main motor 20 and that all of the other electrical translating devices will be deenergized during the starting period because of switch 20 of the starting relay solenoid |20.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that we have provided improved apparatus for cleaning and centrifuging fabrics and the like, wherein the various electrical translating devices associated with the apparatus during the starting of the main total current demands of the apparatus at this time are reduced to a low value. This feature of the invention is highly desirable in domestic type machines which are usually operated from low capacity circuits, fused at 15 amperes or less, by underwriters' regulation or by city ordinance.

While we have shown our invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited. but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims what we claim is:

means controlling the admission and discharge of fluid to and from said receptacle, means including a driving motor for effecting the cleaning of the material in the receptacle, an electrically-driven timer for sequentially energizing said electricallyoperated means, a common electrical circuit for the timer and said electrically-operated means, and means responsive to the load on said driving motor for controlling energization of said common circuit so that the common circuit is deenergized when the load on the motor is above a predetermined value and conditioned for energization when the load on the motor is below said value.

2. In cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receptacle for containing cleaning fluid and the material to be cleaned, electrically-operated means controlling the admission and discharge of fluid to and from said receptacle, means including a driving motor for eiecting the cleaning of the material in the receptacle, an electrically-driven timer for sequentially energizing said electricallyoperated means, a common electrical circuit for the timer and said electrically-operated means and means responsive to the current of said driving motor for controlling energization of said common circuit so that the circuit is deenergized when the current in the motor is above a predetermined value and is conditioned for energization when the current is below said value.

3. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifuging cleaning iluid therefrom, the combination of a tub for containing cleaning fluid and the fabrics to be treated, means for agitating the fabrics in the fluid for cleaning the same, means for rotating the fabrics for the extraction of uid therefrom, a multiple speed mechanism for selectively driving the agitating means at relatively '2o low speed and for driving the rotating means at relatively high speed, electro-magnetic means for adjusting the multiple speed mechanism for low or high speed operation, electrically-operated means for controlling the admission of fluid to the tub and the discharge oi' uid therefrom, a motor for driving said multiple speed mechanism and including a circuit energized during starting periods, switching means for controlling energization of said circuit, means responsive to the load on the motor for actuating said switching means, and a second common circuit for energizing said electrically-operated means and said electro-magnetic means and controlled by the switching means, said switching means being effective t0 deenergize said second common circuit when the load on the motor is above a predetermined value.

FRANK BRECKENRIDGE. RAYMOND J. RIDGE. 

